Imphal: Union Minister Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma visited Ningomthong Reed Cluster situated at Ningomthong Kitna Panung, Imphal East.
State Director KVIC, A.S.S. Dewan; Additional Secretary, Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Govt. of Manipur, Luckyson Kashung and Director in-charge, MSME/DI, T.H. Baite accompanied the Minister during the visit.
Minister of State Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma said that the main purpose of his visit is to get a first hand report of the works taken up under the different schemes of MSME. He urged the cluster groups to take the benefits of the various programmes taken up his Ministry to strengthen Small and Medium enterprises in the State. Applauding the cluster on its successful implementation of the programme, the Minister advised them to increase the number of workers.
The cluster started initially with 216 workers and at present has 360 workers making different traditional handicraft items. The Minister further added that the Ministry will extend its support to those organizations interested in forming such cluster groups to promote medium and small enterprises.
The Reed Cluster was formed by Craft Development Promoter Organisation (CDPO) with fund from the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), a scheme launched by the Government of India under the aegis of Ministry of MSME in 2005 with the intention to promote cluster development. Under the guidance of Secretary cum Chief Promoter of CDPO, Shri S. Bocha Singh, a Global Excellence Awardee and also a State Awardee, he started the cluster in 2016 and has been running successfully till now. The organization has organized exhibitions showcasing handicraft products of the cluster and also other products from various organizations to promote traditional handicraft products of the State. The cluster is one of the most successful clusters in north-east state and has recently been awarded by the Hon’ble Vice President of India.
